Today is a tragic day as Japan sends out dolphin killing boats again in Taiji. You probably remember the indelible images of the slaughter from the documentary "The Cove."This year the Japanese government has authorized the senseless killing of 1820 bottlenose dolphins, pilot whales, and false killer whales. Taiji dolphin hunters also have "orders" for 150 live-captured dolphins to sell into miserable lives in small concrete tanks. We need your help today to fight back against this ruthless slaughter -- educate people about the dangers of eating toxic dolphin meat -- and stop the growing trade in wild dolphins. There are some positive signs. Japanese consumers are eating far less dolphin meat, and this has contributed to a 60% decline in dolphin deaths in Taiji. The hunters simply can't sell as much dolphin meat as they have been able to in the past. But for the slaughter to end we must keep up the pressure, and we need your help again.A dead dolphin sold for meat in Japan brings in $600, but a live "show" dolphin can bring $150,000 or more on the world market. The captivity industry is subsidizing dolphin hunters who catch dolphins for marine circuses and then massacre the rest. This must be stopped.This past winter, Japan killed 333 minke whales -- including 200 pregnant females -- for illegal "scientific research" whaling, and now they are sending out their fleet in coastal waters to kill more whales. Their winter slaughter took place in the Southern Ocean Whale Sanctuary, an area designated by the International Whaling Commission (IWC) as a protected zone for whales.Your help enables us to work at the upcoming meetings of the IWC in Slovenia to turn up world pressure on the Japanese government to cease its illegal whale slaughter. In 2020, Tokyo plans to host the summer Olympics. We must expand our work with Japanese allies to end these slaughters. Japan has a chance to shift toward humane policies for dolphins and whales instead of having the global media spotlight their insensitivity and cruelty to these amazing animals. Please donate today and sign our petition to Japanese Prime Minister Abe.Minke whales like the one pictured above are slaughtered by Japan both in Antarctica and in their coastal watersThank you for all you can do to help, at any level. Please donate $35, $100, $250, or whatever you can afford. ***Right now the Taiji hunters are out looking to force dolphins into the killing Cove for slaughter or global trade.***Right now we must keep the pressure on Japan's illegal killing of whales at the International Whaling Commission.***Right now the courts are considering our lawsuit about SeaWorld's false statements that orca whales are "happy" and live as long in tanks as in the wild.We have accomplished a great deal with your support. And the truth is, we can't do it without you. Thanks for standing with us today!Best,David Phillips, Director, International Marine Mammal Project, Earth Island Institute